Start free

PolicyChanges tracks payer policy changes for medical practices and tells you what to do before they take effect.

Create a free accountPolicy Monitoring is free. No card required.
← Back to list
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode IslandCommercial · Billing Codes · Physician / Behavioral Health · RI · PsychiatryHigh impact

Telemedicine Modifier - Claims Edit Effective September 1, 2026

Act
by Aug 31, 2026
Effective date
Sep 1, 2026
Identified
Aug 1, 2026

Summary

Effective September 1, 2026, Blue Cross Blue Shield Rhode Island will implement a system edit that denies all claims submitted with telemedicine modifiers (93, 95, FQ, GT) if billed with any place of service code other than 02 (telehealth) or 10 (off-campus outpatient). Billing teams must ensure telemedicine modifiers are used exclusively with appropriate telehealth place of service codes to avoid automatic claim denials.

Get alerts when payers change rules like this one

We check Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island and other payers every day and email you when a change matches your specialty and state.

Get Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island alertsPolicy Monitoring is free. No card required.

What to do

by Aug 31, 2026 · 4 steps
01Billing team must audit all current claim workflows and templates to ensure telemedicine modifiers (93, 95, FQ, GT) are ONLY paired with place of service codes 02 or 10.
02Update billing software validation rules to prevent submission of these modifier/place-of-service combinations.
03Providers must remove telemedicine modifiers from any in-office (place of service 11) or other non-telehealth claims.
04Review all standing orders and templates.
If missed: Failure to comply will result in automatic claim denials beginning September 1, 2026.

Codes mentioned

9395FQGT

Original notice

Telemedicine Modifier - Claims Edit Effective September 1, 2026
bcbsri.com · Always check the source before changing claims.
View original ↗

Related changes

See all Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island changes →
Telemedicine modifier – Claims edit effective September 1, 2026HighEffective Sep 1, 2026 · Physician / Behavioral HealthPayment policy updatesHighEffective Sep 1, 2026 · Provider UpdateTelemedicine Modifier - Claims Edit Effective 9/1/26HighEffective Sep 1, 2026 · Physician / Behavioral HealthTelemedicine Modifier - Claims Edit Effective 9/1/26HighEffective Sep 1, 2026 · Physician / Behavioral HealthBrowse every Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island change in the policy list

Related policy hubs

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island policiesRI policy changesPsychiatryCode 93Code 95Code FQCode GT

Summaries are AI-assisted. Always confirm against the original payer notice.

What is PolicyChanges

One workspace for payer rules, prior auth, coding and compliance

Medical practices use PolicyChanges to catch payer changes before they cause denials. Every change is summarized in plain English, with the codes involved, the date it takes effect and what to do.

Policy MonitoringPayer policy, prior auth and coding changes, filtered to your saved searchesOIG ScreeningStaff and vendors screened every month against OIG LEIE, SAM.gov and state Medicaid listsPrior Auth LookupKnow if a service needs prior authorization before you schedule itCredentialing TrackerLicenses, CAQH, Medicare revalidation and payer enrollments, with reminders before anything lapsesCompliance CenterKeep your HIPAA program documented and ready to show
Start freePolicy Monitoring is free. No card required.
Get alerts for changes like thisPolicy Monitoring is free. No card required.Create a free account